Self-threading shuttle



1929. A. s. HUTCHINS 1,723,937

SELF THREADING SHUTTLE Filed Oct. 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 =53 fire/liar g- 1929. A. s. HUTCHINS 1,723,937

SELF THREADING SHUTTLE Filed Oct. 2'7, 192'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented drug. 6,

Uhll'l'lED STATES 1,723,937 ATENT OFFHIE.

ALLAN El. PIUTGHINS, OF NORCESTFE, MASSACJEIUSETTS. ASSIG-NOR TO GROMPTON &

KNOWLES 1300M. VJORKS, IdASSAC-HUSETTS.

9F 'W'GRCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, CORPORATION OF SELF-THBEADIF'G SHUTTLE.

Application filed October 27, 1927.

This invention relates to a self-threading or automatic shuttle, particularly designed for use in silk looms, or in other looms using extremely fine weft or filling having similar characteristics. Such line weft has a strong tendency to kink or snarl if it becomes slack in the shuttle at any time during the weaving operation.

It is the general object of my invention to provide an improved threading and tension mechanism for a self-threading shuttle by which such breakage and defects are substantially eliminated.

With this general object in view, I have provided a threading and tension mechanism so designed that it may be easily threaded and with a much reduced possibility of misthreading. l have also providedmeans for evenly and smoothly taking up any slackness of weft which may be caused by the inertia of the weft on the boxing of the shuttle or for other similar reasons.

My invention further relates to arranirements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which Fig. shuttle;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the threading end of the shuttle;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the portion of the shuttle shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevation, taken along the line 4- l in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the first step of the threading operation;

Fig. 6 is transverse sectional elevation, taken along the line 66 in Fig. 5;

F ig. 7 is a partial sectional. plan view, showing the we t in its final or threaded position;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation, taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the tension arms.

Referring to the drawings l have indi-' cated a shuttle S having a bobbin B mounted therein in the usual manner, and having the weft WV on the bobbin engaged by soft fricion material 10, such as fur, secured to one inner face of the shuttle, the parts thus far described being of the usual construction.

1 is a plan view of my improved Serial No. 229,219.

My improved threading and tension mechanism is mounted in a recess or thread passage 12 extending forward from the interior of the shuttle, said passage being open at its upper side and closed at its lower side as clearly shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

A threading slot or 01 ening 13 extends forward from the thread passage 12, and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined threading slot 14 is formed in one side of the shuttle and extends horizontally inward to the passage 12 and the slot 13. The lower end of the slot 14: forms an eye or delivery passage for the weft during the weaving operation, as shown in Fig. 8.

My improved tension mechanism comprises an upper tension arm (Fig. 9) and a lower tension arm 22. As shown in the drawings, the upper arm is single and the lower arm is double, but it will be obvious that the relative position of the arms may be reversed if found desirable.

The upper arm 20 is pivoted. on a cross pin 23 secured in. one side of the shuttle,

and the lower arm 22 is similarly pivoted on a cross pin 24-, the arms extending rearwardly from their pivots along the thread passage 12.

A lug 25 (Fig. on the hub of the arm 20 is connected by an elastic band or other resilient member 26 to a screw or other holding device 27 (Fig. 7), and a lug 28 on the hub of the lower arm 22 is similarly connected by a band 29 to a screw or holding device 30.

The single. arm 20 is provided with a return portion 32 form-inga loop 33, and the double arm 22 is provided with a double return portion 35 forming two loops 36.

Guide pins 37 and 88 are. secured in the side of the shuttle and project inward and downward to guide the thread during the threading operation.

' aving described the details of construction of my improved threading and tension mechanism, the method of using the same is as follows During the first flight of the shuttle. the weft W. is drawn out of the end of the shuttle as indicated. in F 5 and 6. During this movement the intermediate portion of the weft is guided downward at the lefthand or rear of the threading mechanism, as clearly indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. As

the shuttle returns, the weft IV passes downward along the inclined slot 14 and also slides over the return portion 32 of the upper arm and under the double return portion 35 of the lower arm, the arms yieldingly separating to permit the weft to be drawn between the portions 32 and 35.

So long as the weft is under tension, the parts occupy the position indicated in Figs. 7 and 8, but as soon as the tension is relieved, the parts assume the position indicated in Figs. at and 9, with the tension arms moved away from each other to take up the slack ,of the weft V. Upon any in crease in tension, the arms will again be swung towards each other to the position indicated in Figs. 7 and 8.

I have thus provided an extremely simple threading and tension mechanism in which it is practically impossible for a misthread to occur, and in which ample provision is made for taking up any slackness of weft which may occur during the weaving operation on account of the inertia of the weft at the boxing of the shuttle.

My improved self-threading shuttle has been found reliable and satisfactory in use, and I do not wish to'be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is 1. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected therewith, in combination, a pair of threadengaging tension arms pivoted at their for ward ends respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, and means to yieldingly move said arms to tension the weft.

2. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected therewith, in combination, a pair of threadengaging tension arms pivoted at their forward ends respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, one of said arms being double and the other arm being single and disposed between the parts of the double arm, and means to yieldingly move said arms to tension the weft.

3. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected therewith, in combination, a pair of threadengaging tension arms pivoted at their forward ends respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, each of said arms having a return portion, and said return portions overlapping across the path of the weft when said arms are in their normal position, and means to yleldmgly move said arms to tension the weft.

4. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected therewith, in combination, a pair of threadengaging tension arms pivoted at their forward ends respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, the lower arm having a return portion projecting forward and above the path of the weft, and the upper arm having a return portion projecting forward and below the path of the weft, and means to yieldingly move said arms to tension the weft.

5. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein, and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected thereto, in combination, a pair of tension members mounted on horizontal pivots disposed respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, and having rearwardly extending port-ions adapted to be engaged and moved apart by the tensioning of the weft drawn therebetween, and means to tension said arms.

6. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft'delivery passage connected thereto, in combination, a pair of tension members mounted on horizontal pivots disposed respectively above and below the threading path of the weft and having rearwardly extending portions adapted to be engaged and moved apart by the tensioning of the weft drawn therebetween, said members having portions limiting rearward movement of the weft relative thereto, and means to tension said arms.

7. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected thereto, a pair of tension members mounted on horizontal pivots disposed respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, and having rearwardly extending portions adapted to be engaged and moved apart by the tensioning of the weft drawn therebetween, one of said members having a single looped portion and the other member having double looped portions, through all of which the weft is threaded, and means to tension said arms.

8. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected thereto, a pair of tension members mounted on horizontal pivots disposed respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, and having rearwardly extending portions adapted to be engaged and moved apart by the tensioning of the weft drawn therebetween, one of said members having a single looped portion and the other member having double looped portions, through all of which the weft is threaded, and said single looped portion being disposed be tween said double looped portions, and means to tension said arms.

9. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected therewith, in combination, a tension mechanisin comprising tension members pivoted above and below the threading path of the weft having portions separable to receive the weft and having other portions overlapping to tension the weft and to prevent rearward escape thereof, and means to tension said members, both of said tension members being movably mounted in said shuttle.

10. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a lateral weft-delivery passage connected therewith, in combination, a pair of threadengaging tension arms pivoted at their forward ends respectively above and below the threading path of the weft, means to yieldingly move said arms to tension the weft, and means to guide the weft to the rear side of said tension arms as it is initially inserted in said thread passage.

11. In a self-threading shuttle having a shuttle body with a forwardly extending thread passage formed therein and with a weft-delivery passage connected therewith, in combination, a pair of thread-engaging tension arms pivoted at their forward ends respectively above and below the threading: path of the weft and extending; rearward along said thread passage, said arms having]; portions overlapping each other and each engaged by the threaded weft, and means to yieldingly move said arms to tension the weft.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

ALLAN S. HUTCHINS. 

